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District of Saanich
Parks t. 250-475-5522 / f. 250-475-5525
1040 McKenzie Ave. e. [email protected]
Victoria BC V8Z 2L4 saanich.ca
MOUNT DOUGLAS PARK
Area: Gordon Head Location: Cedar Hill Road Size: approx. 184.02 ha Amenities:
Beach Access
Cycling Restrictions
Washrooms
Dog Restrictions
Garry Oak
Green Space
Interpretive Signs
Naturescape
Parking
Picnic Areas
Playground
Trails
View/Lookout
About the Park: This is the largest and most magnificent park administered
by Saanich. Walk the shores of Cordova Bay, hike trails lush
with the abundance of ferns and wildflowers towered by
Douglas fir and Cedar trees. Trails as well as a paved - but
steep - park road lead you to the summit. From the parking
lot at the top a walking trail leads you to the summit elevation
of 225m. This 360º lookout is spectacular with views of rural
Saanich, the city lights of Victoria, and further, the Olympic
and Cascade Mountains in Washington State.
Mount Douglas Park beach is a long sandy beach and
accessed via trail from the Beach Parking Lot near the
Cordova Bay/Cedar Hill/Ash intersection. Washrooms, a
playground, picnic areas and an interpretive sign are here as well.
District of Saanich
Parks t. 250-475-5522 / f. 250-475-5525
1040 McKenzie Ave. e. [email protected]
Victoria BC V8Z 2L4 saanich.ca
In 1942, Emily Carr claimed to have had a vision while visiting a friend in
Vancouver. The vision inspired her to return immediately to Mount Douglas Park
where she felt the "forest had something to tell her". There, for a few weeks in
August of that year, she painted her last works which were both mystical and
enchanting.
Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/4EoEppXKASq
District of Saanich
Parks t. 250-475-5522 / f. 250-475-5525
1040 McKenzie Ave. e. [email protected]
Victoria BC V8Z 2L4 saanich.ca
Mount Douglas Park Trails:
Come to the park to enjoy the extensive trail system named after the early settlers and farms in the area – it is likely they established some of them. Use the difficulty rating system to plan your hike:
From one of the many parking areas, a variety of trails will lead you through the forest, around the base of the summit, up to the spectacular view at the mountaintop or down to the secluded, sandy beach.
Churchill Drive is the paved road leading to the summit. We keep Churchill Drive, the paved road leading to the summit, closed to vehicles until noon seven days a week to promote a more active, enjoyable leisure experience for pedestrians, families and cyclists. You can drive to the summit from noon each day until just after dusk.
No parking is allowed at any time along the side of Churchill Drive (subject to fine). Only park in designated parking stalls in any portion of Mount Douglas Park. The beach lot has a lot of spots - we recommend this as the primary parking location if you must drive to the park.
You can drive to the summit from noon most days until just after dusk. If snowy or icy, the road will remain closed to vehicle traffic. Churchill Drive will also remain closed 24 hours per day on holidays and over long weekends during our COVID-19 response. This includes:
Easter (April 10-13) Victoria Day (May 16-18) Canada Day (July 1) BC Day (August 1-3) Labour Day (September 5-7) Thanksgiving (October 10-12)
Please note: during gate closures maintenance crews may still require access to the road.
We installed elevation and distance markers as part of the 20th Anniversary celebrations. Take the 1,500m hike from the Churchill parking lot gate 42m above sea level to the Summit parking lot 202m for a 160m climb. If you go right to the Summit at the Geographic Marker, its 225m.
District of Saanich
Parks t. 250-475-5522 / f. 250-475-5525
1040 McKenzie Ave. e. [email protected]
Victoria BC V8Z 2L4 saanich.ca
Mount Douglas Park/Trail Etiquette:
Respect plants, wildlife and private property.
Keep our parks and trails clean – follow a pack it in, pack it out philosophy. If needed, put litter in the waste containers. Do not dispose trash or throw animal waste bags to the side of the trails. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but memories.
No smoking as per the CRD Clean Air Bylaw is permitted in any park or public space.
Watch for and respect horseback riders as horses may easily startle.
Keep dogs under control.
Please pick up after your pet and deposit bags in waste containers.
No dogs on the beach or around the playground and lower/beach parking area ("area bounded by Cordova Bay Road, Ash Road, Douglas Creek, the natural boundary of the ocean and the northwesterly boundary of the park, EXCEPT the asphalt road surface lying to the northwest of the picnic area between the two gates" - Animal Bylaw).
Cycle only on paved roads or pathways, cycling is not allowed on gravel or bare earth trails in Mount Douglas Park.
Many fragile ecosystems exist within the park – from the rock outcrops at the summit to down between the tide lines on the beach. Please treat Mount Douglas Park with respect and preserve these sensitive habitats.
District of Saanich
Parks t. 250-475-5522 / f. 250-475-5525
1040 McKenzie Ave. e. [email protected]
Victoria BC V8Z 2L4 saanich.ca
Mount Douglas Park Picnic Areas:
There are two large picnic areas near the parking lot down at the beach area parking lot.
Area A is near the playground and has five (5) extra-long picnic tables (seats 16 persons each) as well as two (2) regular sized picnic tables (seats 10 persons each) available. Up to 100 persons can have a seat.
Area B is located in the treed area above the ocean. There are three (3) regular sized picnic tables and one (1) extra-long picnic table available. Nearly 50 people can have a seat here!
You can reserve picnic areas through our park permit system. Unreserved tables are available on a first come basis with the understanding that any reservations will be able to ask you to relocate.
Please identify which area(s) you wish to reserve when making a park permit reservation. Garbage, recycling and/or compostable materials need to be disposed of properly and picnic areas cleaned up after use.
District of Saanich
Parks t. 250-475-5522 / f. 250-475-5525
1040 McKenzie Ave. e. [email protected]
Victoria BC V8Z 2L4 saanich.ca
Mount Douglas Park Washroom Facilities:
There is a main washroom building located in the Beach Parking Lot and there are two satellite seasonal portable washrooms located at the Churchill Drive Parking Lot and at the Summit Parking Lot.
